How Can I Get WACky in My Course?
Tamara Kendig, West Virginia Wesleyan

Make writing to learn one of the course objectives on your syllabus--and in your class plans.

Use writing assignments that help students use prior knowledge to encounter and learn new material. 

Plan several short assignments throughout the semester rather than a long one due on the last day of class.

Clarify writing assignments as much as possible.

Emphasize the writing process by allowing students to discuss their written work with you and their peers before submission. 

Give students a list of possible essay questions ahead of test-time and allow them to ask questions before the exam.  You can also hand out a sample question and allow students to write a "practice" answer they can bring to class and discuss.

Encourage effective note-taking by helping students become active listeners.  One way to ensure thoughtful listening is to ask students to hand in one question they have about the lecture at the end of class.

Experiment with different kinds of writing:

•  Journals
• Microthemes
• Freewriting

Show students how important writing is to you.  Let them see your messy conference paper drafts, your risk taking, your revisions, paragraphs you cut, etc.